Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in an HIV-positive man: response to cetirizine

Use of H-1 Antihistamine in Dermatology: More than Itch and Urticaria Control: A Systematic Review

H-1 antihistamines are commonly used in dermatological practice for itch and urticaria control. The widespread expression of H-1 receptor on different cells in the skin and various biologic functions of H-1 antihistamines indicate the possible treatment potentials of H-1 antihistamines in dermatology. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Embase, targeting articles reporting use of antihistamine for purposes other than itch and urticaria control in dermatological practice. Several off-label usages of antihistamines were identified, including alopecia, acne, Darier disease, eosinophilic dermatoses, paraneoplastic dermatoses, psoriasis, lichen nitidus, radiation dermatitis, skin dysesthesia, and cutaneous malignancies. Additional benefits were observed when H-1 antihistamines were used either alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities. Although various novel uses of H-1 antihistamines have been uncovered, the evidence level of most included studies is weak. Further randomized control trials are warranted to better evaluate the efficacy and dosage of H-1 antihistamine for dermatological disorders.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of infancy suppressed with cetirizine

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of infancy is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent, itchy sterile pustules mainly located on the scalp. Topical agents are mostly effective to suppress the symptoms in the majority of cases. However, systemic agents that are safe for long-term use are required for patients with widespread or resistant lesions. We present a case with eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of infancy whose disease was suppressed with cetirizine but recurred after ceasing the drug.

Eosinophilic Pustular Folliculitis Following Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem-Cell Transplantation

We describe a case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) occurring after autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and successfully treated with oral and topical indomethacin. Including ours, the reported cases of EPF with HIV-negative hematological disease have shown clinical features similar to those of HIV-associated EPF, however the prognosis is better than that for HIV-associated EPF, which usually shows a persistent course. EPF with HIV-negative hematological disease can be classified as a unique group in EPF.

Can response of a pruritic papular eruption to antiretroviral therapy be used as a clinical parameter to monitor virological outcome?

BACKGROUND

A pruritic papular eruption (PPE) is a common skin manifestation observed in 12-46% of persons with HIV infection living in tropical countries.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether PPE responds to HAART and whether monitoring PPE severity could be used as a clinical marker to predict virological outcome in resource-limited settings where viral load testing is not available.

METHODS

The study enrolled 53 patients with PPE for at least 1 month before starting a first-line HAART regimen as part of a prospective study. CD4 cell count and viral load were measured at enrolment and every 3 months. A scoring system was developed to evaluate the PPE severity by asking two questions. Over the last month how itchy has your skin been? Over the last month how has itching interfered with your sleep?

RESULTS

Median CD4 cell count was 15 cells/mul and median viral load 268 663 copies/ml. All patients initiated a regimen containing a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Mean PPE score declined from 3.9 at enrolment to 0.1 at 24 months. In 37 (86%) of the 43 patients with at least 6 months of follow-up data, the PPE disappeared and never returned. Patients with viral load > 400 copies/ml at months 9 and/or 12 had significantly higher PPE scores at months 9 to 12 than the patients with < 400 copies/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

In most patients, PPE disappears during HAART and PPE severity scores were higher in patients whose first-line HAART failed to control plasma viral load.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: The first case associated with hepatitis C virus

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis is a rare disorder that is characterized by recurrent crops of papules and pustules localized on seborrheic areas of the body. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unknown, but it has been related to infections and immunosuppressive states. This report is the first case to be found to be related to hepatitis C virus infection.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: a 40 year retrospect

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a noninfectious eosinophilic infiltration of hair follicles first described 40 years ago. There are 3 variants: classic EPF, immunosuppression-associated (mostly HIV-related), and infancy-associated EPF. EPF has been classified as an AIDS-defining illness. In both children and adults EPF should be viewed as a possible cutaneous sign of immunosuppression. However, it may also be seen in persons with normal immune status. We review EPF on the 40th anniversary of its original description.

Les anti-H1 en pratique dermatologique

INTRODUCTION

Histamine is an inflammation mediator that is fundamental for the development of some allergic reactions and is also implied in several common dermatological affections. Anti-H1s are molecules capable of couteracting the effect of histamine on its specific receptors. There are two types: first generation anti-H1 and second generation anti-H1.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of anti-H1 in the treatment of skin diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A reference search was made using the Pubmed data bank. Critical analysis was made of the articles selected based on their evidence.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Demonstration of the efficacy of anti-H1 was only confirmed in a few dermatitis. Urticaria is the indication of choice. The symptomatic use of anti-H1 may be justified within the context of other dermatitis. The second rather than the first generation molecules should be preferred because of the lesser side effects and improved pharmacokinetic profile.

Leukaemia-associated eosinophilic folliculitis (Ofuji's disease)

BACKGROUND

Ofuji's disease is an eosinophilic dermatosis mostly affecting male subjects. It is characterized by the appearance of follicular papulopustolosis, at times on an erythematous base, which tend to form an annular configuration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two cases are described: the first is a 45-year-old man affected by acute myeloid leukaemia and Ofuji's disease; the second is a 61-year-old man affected by chronic lymphatic leukaemia and Ofuji's disease. Culture tests were negative in both cases. In both patients no hypereosinophilia was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous presence of the two pathologies in these patients can only give rise to hypothesis. In the first case it could be attributed to interleukin (IL)-5, which causes both eosinophilic hyperproduction and blast differentiation. In the second case the hypersecretion of intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) in Ofuji's disease could be attributed to a modified transcriptional gene belonging to the class of immunoglobulin codifying genes located on the altered chromosomes in a certain percentage of leukaemic patients.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: a comprehensive review of treatment options

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF), also known as Ofuji disease, is a disease that manifests with follicular papules or pustules. Its variants include a classic type that occurs most commonly in Japan, an HIV-associated type, an infantile type, a type that occurs on the palms and soles, a rare medication-associated variant, and a rare neoplasia-associated variant.A wide range of medications has been used to treat EPF. Topical corticosteroids are the first-line treatment option for EPF. Topical tacrolimus seems to be useful initial therapy as well. Oral indometacin (50-75 mg/day) is an effective treatment of classic EPF although it can induce peptic ulcers. For treatment of HIV-associated EPF when topical corticosteroids and indometacin do not work, various other treatments should be considered. These treatment options include cetirizine 20-40 mg/day, metronidazole 250 mg three times a day, itraconazole starting at a dosage of 200 mg/day and increasing to 300-400 mg/day, and topical permethrin. If these treatments do not work phototherapy with UVB is the 'gold standard' of treatment and is often curative. Treatments with less certain risk-benefit ratios but with some efficacy include PUVA (psoralen + UVA) photochemotherapy, oral corticosteroids, synthetic retinoids (i.e. isotretinoin 1 mg/kg/day), and acitretin (0.5 mg/kg/day), oral cyclosporine (ciclosporine) 5 mg/kg/day, interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b, and IFNgamma. Minocycline 100mg twice daily and dapsone 50-100mg twice daily have been used with some effect. The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV has resulted in the amelioration of EPF as CD4 cell counts rise above 250/mm(3). The diversity of clinical presentations and affected populations make it seem that EPF is a reaction pattern as much as a disease and that therapy should be tailored to the variant of EPF and the underlying etiology.

Ofuji's disease: a report on 20 patients with clinical and histopathologic analysis

BACKGROUND

Ofuji's disease, also referred to as classic eosinophilic pustular folliculitis, is a rare dermatosis of unknown origin for which there is no uniformly effective treatment.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

Twenty patients with Ofuji's disease (classic eosinophilic pustular folliculitis) evaluated in our department from January 1978 to June 1999 were studied clinically and histopathologically. Laboratory data, treatments, and clinical courses were evaluated in 12 of these individuals.

RESULTS

Nissl modified staining revealed moderate increases of mast cells around hair follicles and sebaceous glands in all 20 patients; the majority of the infiltrating mast cells were tryptase-positive and chymase-negative. Eight of 11 patients treated with oral indomethacin responded completely.

CONCLUSIONS

Indomethacin is an effective therapy for Ofuji's disease. Tryptase-positive and chymase-negative mast cells might play some role in the pathogenesis of Ofuji's disease.

Itchy folliculitis and human immunodeficiency virus infection: clinicopathological and immunological features, pathogenesis and treatment

The predominant itchy folliculitis associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection appears to be an eosinophilic folliculitis (EF). This is characterized by lytic degeneration of sebaceous glands and an inflammatory infiltrate in which eosinophils and CD8+ T lymphocytes predominate. All patients have low CD4 counts and present late on in their HIV disease. Lesional distribution is mainly truncal, with a significant proportion also having facial involvement. Our prospective survey has shown that it is impossible to differentiate clinically between infective folliculitis and EF, and we recommend therefore that all cases are biopsied. We review the clinicopathological and immunological aspects of HIV-associated itchy folliculitis, in particular HIV-associated EF as well as current theories on pathogenesis and treatment. We suggest that HIV-associated EF is an autoimmune disease with the sebocyte or some constituent of sebum acting as the autoantigen.

HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: successful treatment of a Japanese patient with UVB phototherapy

We report the successful treatment with ultraviolet B phototherapy of a patient with HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. We were able to observe the clinical and therapeutic course for about one year and three months. This 35-year-old homosexual Japanese man presented with disseminated, discrete, follicular, erythematous papules with intense pruritus over his face, neck, chest wall, and upper back. Initially, the eruption responded to therapy with topical or oral indomethacin and oral H1 antihistamine. However, the eruption was highly prone to recurrence, and it gradually failed to respond to these therapies. The eruption became chronic and persistent and manifested the excoriated, prurigo-like nodules that are typical of reported pruritic papular eruption, suggesting that this skin disease and HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis are two forms of the same disease entity. UVB phototherapy in small doses was very effective for the persistent eruption, and no recurrence of the eruption was noted during or since the six-month maintenance therapy (once a week at a dose equivalent to 0.75 of the minimal erythema dose) (9 months total). No unfavorable side effects have been observed during or after the UVB phototherapy (cumulative UVB doses of 2,320 mJ/cm2).

Dermatologic complications of HIV infection

Cutaneous disorders occur with great frequency in patients with HIV infection and increase in number and severity as the disease progresses and immune function declines. In addition, the first findings related to HIV infection are often on the skin. Cutaneous infections with herpesviruses may be severe and atypical in their presentations; papillomaviruses and MC are common as well. Bacterial infections may be primary or secondary to other skin diseases; superficial and deep fungal infections are also prevalent. Papulosquamous disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, may be disfiguring and result in secondary complications. Neoplastic disorders, especially Kaposi's sarcoma, demand early diagnosis, to afford the patient maximal treatment options. All physicians must be aware of these cutaneous manifestations to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life in the HIV-infected individual.